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Ex-Eagles coach Reid close to taking Chiefs’ job

Former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid likely won’t be unemployed for long. It’s a matter of where.

Days from ending his 14-year tenure as Eagles coach, Reid remains on the verge of being hired by the Kansas City Chiefs as of Thursday, according to an ESPN report. Reid had met with Chiefs officials for nine hours Wednesday, one source told ESPN, and “the major issues have been discussed and agreed upon.”

After that meeting at a private airport in the Philadelphia area, Reid had been scheduled to fly to Arizona to speak to Cardinals officials, though the report suggested that talks had progressed far enough with the Chiefs to make that unnecessary.

Later Thursday, an NFL.com report said Reid planned to meet with the Cardinals, two days after an ESPN.com report said there was a “95 percent chance” that Reid would land in Arizona. The league’s website also reported that Reid will meet with San Diego Chargers officials over the weekend, assuming no deal is in place by the end of the day Thursday.

Sources told ESPN that the Cardinals and Chargers aren’t confident that Reid will make either scheduled interview. The Cardinals have already moved on by obtaining permission to speak with Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

One person not hoping for Reid to land in Kansas City is general manager Scott Pioli, who would be replaced with former Eagles and Cleveland Browns’ GM Tom Heckert as part of a Reid package deal, according to multiple reports. Eckert worked with Reid from 2001-09.

According to ESPN, Reid and the Chiefs are negotiating details of organizational structure, salary and coaching budgets. The lengthy meetings were necessary for Reid to meet with members of the organization, including Pioli, vice president of communications Ted Crews, owner Clark Hunt, executive Ryan Petkoff and president Mark Donovan.

While Reid and Pioli have a good relationship, sources didn’t expect Reid to want the GM as part of his inner circle. The sources said Reid didn’t demand that former Heckert be hired because he still wants to see if Green Bay Packers’ director of operations John Dorsey is interested.

The Chiefs also interviewed Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Katter Tuesday, one day after they fired Romeo Crenel.

Reid has already begun assembling a coaching staff, telling prospective hires that he expects to have a new job by the end of the week, according to ESPN.com.

Reid was the winnings coach in Eagles’ franchise history. Since arriving in Philadelphia in 1999, Philadelphia has won 130 regular-season games, sixth-most in the league during that span.